CSU-Pueblo 65, Mesa State 56

Fueled by a 23-point performance by point guard Rachel Espinoza (Jr., Pueblo, Colo.), CSU-Pueblo earned its fifth straight win with a 65-56 victory over Mesa State Saturday.

Espinoza gave the Mavericks fits all night long, going 8-for-12 from the field, many of her points coming on layups in the paint.  She also turned in three steals and was 6-for-6 from the free-throw line.

Mesa State, coming in at 4-9 on the season, did give the ThunderWolves a challenge Saturday, forcing 17 ThunderWolf turnovers and shooting 45 percent from the field, sinking nine three-pointers.  But CSU-Pueblo relied on its trademark transition game, recording 13 steals, third most in a game by the Pack this season, and effective high-percentage baskets, going 16-for-28 on two-point field goal attempts.

CSU-Pueblo, now at 12-5 overall and an RMAC-best 8-1 in conference play, will start a four-game road swing next week against their top two foes from the West Division, Fort Lewis and Adams State.